Keith Pompey

Inquirer Staff Writer

Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams will opt out of the final year of his contract at the end of this season and become an unrestricted free agent, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

If he were not to opt out, Williams would be due $6.4 million from the Sixers.

Said the source: “He’s indicated that he’s not going to pick up his option. All indications are that he’s going to opt out.”

Reached at courtside via telephone before the 76ers, fighting for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, game at Indiana on Saturday, 76ers general manager Rod Thorn said that he had not spoken with his leading scorer about his contract but acknowledged that Williams can opt out his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

“He has not said what he will do, but we will react to that when the time comes,” Thorn said.

Said the source: “He’s indicated that he’s not going to pick up his option. All indications are that he’s going to opt out.”

Williams leads the 76ers in scoring this season, averaging 14.9 points a game in just over 26.2 minutes per game. Williams has not started a game this year. If this holds, Williams will become the only player to lead his team in scoring without making a single start since Dell Curry did it for the Charlotte Hornets in the 1993-94 season.

Contact staff writer John N. Mitchell at jmitchell@philly.com. Follow him on Twitter @JmitchInquirer